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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE. v

HUBBARD C. .WEST, OF MOUNT VERNON, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-FOURTH TO DAVID M. BENFORD AND ONE-HALF TO SARAH B. BENFQRD, BOTH OF MOUNT VERNON, NEW YORK.

ELECTRICAL MEASURING INSTRUMENT.

T a all whom it may concern "Be'it known that I, l-lrf mann VEST, a citizen of the United States, lCSKllIlg at Mount Vernon. in the county of "estchester and State of New York, have invented certain-new and useful Improvements in Elec;

-tric'al Measuring Instruments, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to electrical ineas uring instruments, the ob ect of the nvention being to provide an improved instru- .-ment wl'iiclrwill indicate whether a battery or generator is being charged or discharged and also the condition of the storage battery: that is. whether it is full charged,

or is only partly charged. or is dead, thus doing. away with the necessity of using a l'i,\-'drometer, and which instrun'ient is simple in construction. inexpensive to manufacture 2.0-;

audacc-iirate in use.

.In the drawings accoi'n ianying and formin; part of this specification, Figure 1 is a front, partl sectional. view ofthisiinproved instrument, with part of the cas ng removed jis .a perspective view of the indicator and to show the interior arrangement: If ig. 2

",its. coiiperatin; members: Fig. 3, is a section taken on line 2l Fig. 1. looking in the direction of the arrows in said, ,Fig. 1 2, and Fig. tis a detail view of the push button switch.

Similar characters of reference indicate corresponding parts in the dili'erent figures thereof a casing 2 provided witha front face or dial havingits upper portion divided 'into'two segments. one. as A, for indicating the discharge and the other, as II, for indieating the charge of the batteryioi" generator. In the casing-2 is located a pointer r, having connected thereto or' formed-as a part thereof, at its lower end a bar 5 forming a permanent magnet. Thislbar and the pointer =1 are shown in the present instance as integrally cdnnected andmounted on a pivot G for oscillatory. movement. In the upper edge of the bar 5, at each side of the pivot, is formed a series of notches 7 and 7', three being shown at each side in the pres ent instance, these notches being graduated Specification of Lettei s Patent.

has connected thereto near it Patented Aug. 1 1916.-

Applitation filed September 13, 1915. Serial No. 50,285.

in depth from each end of the bar toward the center thereof; that is to say, the outer" of greater depth than the preceding one, it i being understood thatthe bar may-be of. any desired length and'ithe' number of notches increased according to requirements.

Hanging in each of-thc notches 7 and l" is a U-shaped weight 8. sixlbeing shown in the present instance. For the purpose of supporting these weights irl the normal posi i tion a rack 9 is provided,having openings or slots 10 for guiding the ends of the weights 8. the iaclg having below the same a supporting member 1-1. whereby the weights are all maintained-at the same :height when the pointer is :ltYLQIO.

Surrounding. but spacedfro'm, the'inagnetic member or bar 5,.is a pgtir'of coils-12 and 13. one, as 12, of coarse winding and the other. as 13, of line winding. .-\t one side of the instrument, asat '1 thesetwo coils a re connected together and are'also connected with one pole of the battery or .gen-

erator by a wire 15. In the present instance I have provided a spring switch, and the fine wire coil. or coil 13, is conne ted with one member. as 17 Fig; 3, of thisswitch, while the coarse wire coil, or coil 12, is con nected with a strap or bridge member 16 of the switch having a contact member 22. The i sprin g switch is provided with .a third spring member 18 connected at-one end through the wire 21 tothe opposite pole of the battery from that to which. the wire 15 is connected. and which spring member 18 opposite end a plunger 19 having at its on r eihd a push button 20. the spring member; 18 projecting beyond the point of connetii i with the plunger 19 and overlapping the i'ncniber 17, but normally out of contact th'eizewith and in contact with the COHUICtIHQHILiQl 22 of the bridge. or strap member 16. th reby bringing the coarse wound coil 12 into operation. I

the instrument tl1l1S 2l(7i'lllg norm i-lly to show whether the battery is charging or discharging. By pushing the button 20 so as to have the member 19 contact with thoinembcr 17 the battery.

'iiioves to show this voltage, as this is deter--- mined according to the wire that happens to be'connected with the positive pole of the battery. j p

\ ln thc operation of the instrument, when the pointer is at its normal positiomor midway between the portions A'and B of the dia l, the weights 8 areall resting on the supi'mrting' member 11' but on the movementof the pointer to one side or theother, the outermost weight on the side opposite to the y direction of movement willfirst be picked up, and on the continued movement of the pointer responsive to ;the increase-or. de- 'gi'ease, of the current the. successive weights will be picked up by the bar 5 at that sideof the pointer oppositc to the direction of 'movemenlt of such pointer.- The present improyem'ent can, therefore, be used not only to show the charge and discharge of the battcry, in other. words to showv not only whether I the battery is charging .or discharging, but iiraddition can-housed to show. whether the battery is tully charged, or is partly charged, oris not charged at all. That isto say, if

the in'strumentds applied-,to an automobile focin'stance, when .theacar .is running the pointer will indicate whether the'battery "is being charged or is discharging, the latter due to shortncircuit orother cause, and by manipulating thcpush button switch it will also indicate the condition'ot the battery,

that is whether itis fully charged, or partly charged, -or is dead. In short, when the switch is used the-instrument takes the place of a.'hydi'ometei';'so that when the instrument isplaced on the dash or instrument 'board of an automobile the use Of'a hydrometerfmaybe dispensed with.

From the foregoing it willbe seen that I have provided an instrument in which the use of springs and'the attendant disadvantages thereof. such as-the uwibbling of the pointer back-and forth, high factory cost in process 'of hiaiiufacture, etc", are entirely eliminated, and wheu the weights are set they remain always'the same.

It will, of course, be understood that the various details of construction may be moditied without departing scope of this invention.

I claim as my invention:

1. In an electrical measuring irf trument, the combination of means for indi iiing'the from the spirit and charging or discharging of a battery and for indicating the condition of the battery and including a swinging member and a plurality of weights normally free from the swinging inemberaiid adapted to be succes sively picked up by said swinging member.

2. An electrical measuring instrument netic member pivotally mounted thereon, a

pair of coils encircling said magnetic member and adapted to be connected in separate circuits to a source of electrical energy,

means cooperating with said magnetic mem her for indicating the charging or discharging of the source of energy and for indicating the condition of said source, means for throwing one of said coils in circuit while cutting outthe other, and gravity actuated means for retarding thewpivotal movement of said magnetic member and comprising a plurality of members normally free from the magnetic member and adapted to be succ'essively pickedup by said iiiagnctic'memberQ 3. An electrical measuringinstrument. com-prising a supporting member, a mag comprising a supporting member,- a mag netic member pivot-ally mounted thereon, a

pair of coils encircling said magnetic member and adaptedto be'connected in separate circuits to a source, 'of electrical energy, means cooperating with-said magnetic member forindicatin'g the chargingor discharg iug-of' the source of energy and for indicating the condition of said source, means for throwing 'oii'o of'isaid coils in circuit while cutting out the other, and ravity actuated means cooperating\vithsaid magnetic member for retarding the. pivotal movement of said magnetic lmember and coinprising a plurality of members .nor'm ally free from the magnetic member and adapted to be successively picked 'upby said magnetic member.

l. An electrical measuring instrument comprising a supporting inember,.a magnetic member pivotally mounted thereon, a pair of coils encircling said magnetic iie iiber and adapted to be connected in separate circuits to a source of electrical energy, means cooperating with said magnetic memher for indicatingtlie charging ordischargmg ing the condition ot said source, a, switch for throwingone .of sa d-coils-in circuit while cutting'out theotlier, andgravity actuated means for retarding the pivotal 11 5 ofithe source of energy and for indicats movement. of said ,magnetic .meinber and comprising a plurality of memhersnormally 'free from the magnetic member and adapted to be successively picked up'by said mag-' netic member.

5. An electrical measuring instrument comprising a supporting member, a magnetic member pivotally mounted thereon a pair of coils encircling said magnetic member and adapted to be connected in separate circuits to a source of electrical energy, means cooperating with said magnetic mcnr her for indicating the charging or discharging of "the source of energy and for indi eating the conditionof said source, means for throwing one of said coils in circuit while cuttin out the other,-and two series of weights disposed at opposite sides of the pivotal center of said magnetic member, the weights of each series adapted to be suc cessively operative for retarding the pivotal movement of'saidmi'unbcr. I (3. An electrical measuring instrument comprising a. supporting member, a mag. neticmember pivotally mounted thereon, a pair of coils eneirclingsaid magnetic mem ber and-adapted to he'conneeted in separate "circuits to a source of electrical energy, a

pointer adapted for movement with the pivotal movement of'said magnetic member, means for throwing one of said coils in circuit whilecutting out the other, and gravity actuated means forretarding the pivotal movement of said magnetic member and comprising a. plurality of members normally free from the magnetic member and adapted to be successively picked upby said magnetic member.

7. An r electrical measuring instrument comprising a supporting member, a magneticlmember pivotally mounted thereon, a pair ofcoils encircling said magnetic menr ber andadapted to be connected in separate circuits to a source of electrical energy, a pointer adapted for moyement with the ivotal-movemcut-of said magnetic member I means for throwing one of sa d coils in cir- .euit while cutting out the other, and two seriesof weights disposed at opposite sides of said pointer, the weight of each series adapted to be successively o erative for retarding the pivotal movement of said magnetic' member.

8. An felectrical measuring instrument comprising a supporting member, a magnetic member pivotally "mournted thereon and carrying a pointer, a pair of coils en circling said magnetic"memberand adapted to be connected inseparate circuits with a source of electrical energy, one of said coils being normally in circuit, means for thrownormally in circuit, means for throwing said coil out of circuit while throwing the other in. and a plurality of weights .at each side of th pivotal center of said magnetic member and adapted to be successively and cumulatively QlfCCtU't for retarding the movement of said member.

10. An electrical measuring instrument comprising a supporting member, a mag nctic member mounted thereon for pivotal movement and carrying a pointer. a pair of coils encircling said magnetic member and adapted to be comiectcd in separate circuits with a .sourceof electrical energy; one of said coils being normally in circuit. means forthrowing said coil out of circuit while thro\\' i'=.-.g the other in, and a plurality of weights at each side of the pivotal center of said magnetic member, the weights on each side adapted to be operative successively from the end toward the pivotal center of said magnetic member for retarding the movement of said member 11. An electrical measuring instrument comp'ri-dng a supporting, member, a mag netic member pivotally mounted'thercon' and carrying a pointer, a pair of coi's encircling said magnetic member and adapted to be connected in se arate circuitswith a source of electricalenergy, on being normally in circuit, m ing said coil out of circuit or ilei throwing the other in. a plurality of ights at each side of ,the pivotal center of said magnetic I member for retarding the movement of said mem er, and means for guiding said weights. H a v '12. An electrical measuring instrument comprising asupporting member, a magnetic member pivotally inountedfthereon and carrying a poii'iter a pair of coils cncircling said magnetic member and adapted to be connected in separate circuits with a source of electrical energy, one of said coils being normally in circuit, means for throwing said coil out of circuit while throwing the other in, a plurality of weights at each 'side of the pivotal center of said magnetic member adapted to be picked up thereby for retarding the movement of said memher, and means for normally supporting said weights.

13. An electrical measuring instrument comprising a supporting member, a magnetie'member pivotally mounted thereon and carrying a pointer, a pair of coils encircling said magnetic member and adapted to be connected in separate circuits with a source of ele .:trical energy, one of said coils being normally in circuit, means for throwing said coil out of circuit while throwing the other in. a plurality of weights at each side of the pivotal center of said magnetic men'ibcr for retarding the movement of said member, means for guiding said weights, 180

netic member and adapted to be netic member pivotally mounted thereon and carrying a pointer, a pair of coils en circling said magnetic member and adapted to be connected in separated circuits with a source of electrical energy, one of said coils being normally in circuit,a switch for throwing said coil out of circuit while throwing the other in, and gravity actuated means at each side of the pivotal center of said magnetic member for retarding the movement of said member and comprising a plurality of members adapted to be successively and cumulatively effective on such movement.

15. An electrical measuring instrument comprising a supporting member, a magnetic member pivotally mounted thereon and carrying a pointer, a pair of coils encircling said magnetic member and adapted to be connected in separate circuits with a source of electrical energy, one of said coils being normally in circuit, means for throwing said coil out of circuit while throwing the other in, gravity actuated means at each side of the pivotal center of said magnetic member and comprising a plurality of members adaptedto be successively and cumulatively effective for retarding the move ment of said member, and a dial cooperating with said pointer for indicating the chargingand discharging of the source of energy and also the condition of said source. 16. In an electrical measuring instrument, the combination of means for indicating the charging or discharging of a battery or generator and including a swinging member, and gravity actuated means comprising a plurality of members normally free from the's'winging member and adapted to be successively picked up thereby for retarding the swinging movement of said member.

17. In an electrical measuring instrument, the combination of a supporting member, a magnetic member mounted thereonfor swinging movement, a pointer adapted for movement with said magnetic member, a coil encircling said magnetic member and in circuit with a source of electrical energy, and a plurality of weights cooperating with said magnetic member and adaptedto be successively and cumulatively effective for retarding V the movement thereof, said weights being normally free from the magsuccessively picked up thereby.

18. In an electrical measuring instrument, the combination of a supporting member, a magnetic member pivotally mounted thereon, a pointer adapted for movement with said magnetic member, a coil encircling said magnetic member and in circuit with 0.

source of electrical energy, and a plurality of weights carried by said magnetic member at each side of its pivotal center for retarding the movement thereof, the weights on each side being operative successively toward such pivotal center.

19. In an electrical measuring instrument, the combination of means for indicating different conditions of a battery and including a movable member and means adapted to be cumulatively effective on said movable member and comprising means supported normally free of connection with said movable member and adapted to be picked up there by during the movement thereof.

20. In an electrical measuring instrument, the combination of means for indicating different conditions of a battery, one part thereof being automatically operative and the other manually put into operation and including a movable member and means adapted to be cumulatively effective on said movable member and comprising means supported normally free of connection with said movable member and adapted to be picked up thereby during the movement thereof.

21. In an electrical measuring instrument, the combination of means for indicating the charging or discharging of battery and for indicating the condition of the battery and including a movable member and means adapted to be cumulatively effective on said 'movable member and comprising means supported normally free of connection with said movable member and adapted to be picked up thereby during the movement thereof.

22. In an electrical measuring instrument, the combination of means for indicating the charging or'discharging of a battery and for indicating the condition of the battery, the former automatically operative, and manually controlled means for putting the latter into operation, said indicating means comprising a. swinging member and a plurality of members adapted to be cumulatively effective on said swinging member, said plurality of members supported normally free of connection with said swinging member and adapted to be picked up thereby during the movement thereof.

23. In an electrical measuring instrument. the combination of means for indicating the chargingor discharging of a battery or generator and including a swinging member, and gravity actuated means for retarding the swinging movement of said member, said gravity actuated means comprising a plurality of successively lifted weights normally free from the swinging member and adapted to be successively engaged thereby.

24. In an electrical measuring instrument, the combination eluding a movable. member, and gravity actuated means for retarding the movement of said member said gravity actuated of indicating means, in-

means including two sets of weights normally frees from said movable member and adapted, to he Sucre a'ively engaged thereby.

.25. in an elcetriral measuring instrument, the ('omliinatiulrof indirating meanx, means for :u-tuatin it and inrlnd ng a swinging lnemher. and surresSi\'(-.ly opvraiifr means for retardingvthu swinging of -\aid men-filer, said last means lazing normally free from said swinging ihrmlwraml adapted to he hrought into operation on the mown'ient of 'SHlilJIK'IH KJ. i I

:5". In an rlectriml measuring: instruna-nt, the rmnhinatinn ofIindh-atin g means and inrlu din'gi a swinging number, and gravity arl ualed means for retardingthe swinging of said .:u-|nlw.r. Said gravity :u-tualed llltillifi invludilhg a plurality f suiw-essirely ope!- atigl weights normally free from'aaids inging meinla-r and adapted to he hrought into operation on tln" \'\\'in;{in; of said nn'm'oer.

:57. in an elertrii'al m'asnring inslrirment. the eomhination of indiratin means and inulndin; a swinging mem er. gravity --:utu;\led means for retardin g the swinging til said lm-lnla'r. said gravity- :u lualed means including a plurality of surwsiu-ly operated weights normally free from aaidswingiug inemher and adapt-(d to lu-shronght into operation on the suingingf of said m'emhei, and means for guiding said weights.

:38. In an electrical measuring instrument, the. romhination ol' ind'ii'ati'ng means and including: a movahle member,gravity arluatud means for retarding the movement of said lilemla-r. said gravity artuated means ineludin; two sets'ol' sncressirel y olwlzlt-(il weights. normally free. from said morahh: memher and .oneset adaptedto he hronght into operation on the movement of said member in mm direction, and means for guidiiig: said 'nkiglktS.

29. In an electrical measuring instrument, the nomhination of means for indicating the rharging-or discharging of a battery and for indirating the rondition ol the battery and ilHllHliHg a pivoted swinging mcmher, and two s -ts ol' weights lorated at opposite sides of the ivot, one set of xveightaheing operatire on the movement of the pivoted memherin one dirw'tion while the-othelmset remain ino a-ratire. aml rire rersa.

l In an elertrii-al :m-asliring instrument, the romhinal-iim of means for indieat ing' the (-harging or disrharging of a hatlrr) and for indiealing tlH condition of the halter and im-lmlin; a pivotedSwinging memlwr. and two Sets of weights located at oiiposile sides ol' the pivot and in parallelism along said swinging inemher, UIH sel olf rights living operative on the movement oi the pivoted mrmlwr in one direrlion while. the other set remains inoperative, and rice u-rsa. f

2H. ln an vhi'triral nn-asnring instrument, H romhination ol' indiraling means includin: a pivoted poinlrr, and two sets of ,,Il':l\'il .;u'lll;ll('1l means l or retarding the HmYr-zmllt of aid pointer, each set of gravv ilr-arlnali-d means inrhiding a plurality of w ighbi one '\l lm-aird at earh side of said winter and one sel operative. when the minlm mores in "110 ilireetinn \rhilethe oihezset remains ino u-rati're and the latter 7 i set operativewhen the pointer moves in the (JPIHISltt dim-lion while the first set remains inoperative. I

Signed at. New York, in the ronntyml' New York and Stale of New York, this dth da ol' Saptemher. 1915. f

HUBBARD C. \VEST.

'it Messrs: i l. l). B awn,-

T 'rus ll. hams. 

